He spent the whole speech telling us everything that he has accomplished – spending money on this and spending money on that. Then he tells us that the city council does more than just spend money. Then he said that Louise McColl was responsible for bringing the Gravely here – which is a blatant lie. Mike McIntyre’s website claims that Mike, a senior member of the house armed services committee met with the sec. of the Navy and coordinated this. Louise handled the fruit punch and wheat thins. Saffo then lectures us on how we can’t always get what we want – but we get what we need – totally ripping off the Stones. However, we know that he gets whatever the hell he wants (see: convention center, riverwalk, legion turf, etc etc etc) – so what he’s saying is that we can’t get what we want – like properly functioning infrastructure, properly funded public safety, and road improvements we’ve been waiting on over 25 years.

This is my impression of Saffo’s speech, “It’s tough, but we’re doing our best. We’re all in this together,’ almost presenting the city counccil as the head of a family. He never mentioned that the reason for the city’s budget issues is the city’s own behavior.

The city’s expenditures have increased 54% in the last 6 years. That’s not even including all of the spending that the city shifted off to the CFPUA. If you included that, expenditures would have increased by over 100%.

About This Blog

Watchful eyes on government and politics in the Cape Fear region, with a focus on government spending. Raleigh bureau reporter Molly Parker, city of Wilmington reporter Julian March and New Hanover County reporter Ashley Withers contribute to this blog.